Abstract
BACKGROUND: Most food and nutrition-based interventions are abandoned within two years of implementation due to a lack of secure long-term funding and political volatilities. Social enterprise structures are a potential solution to this problem due to their ability to generate profit and impact social outcomes. Therefore, this scoping review sought to explore what social enterprise models exist that address food and nutrition-based outcomes, and the factors that contribute to their long-term financial and operational sustainability. METHODS: Scoping review methodology was utilised, with cross-checking currency of the social enterprise via Google (July, 2024). Eight search engines were explored, generating 2502 publications. Twenty-eight (20 case studies, 1 cross-sectional study, 6 evaluations and 1 quasi-experimental) studies were entered into a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Eight different operational models from 13 countries were identified: social cooperative; employment; targeted customer service; beneficiary service; market intermediary; social partnership; trading business; and social business. The most utilised model was the targeted customer service. The average duration of the enterprises was 16.5 years, showcasing that sustainable models that continue to deliver on social impact can have longevity. CONCLUSIONS: Social enterprises that adopt a business model from the outset are capable of generating income, whilst offering solutions to delivering on and sustaining food or nutrition-based outcomes within communities. There are several business models, though different, that have proven to have longevity. These models enable profit and social purpose to co-exist, benefiting the communities they serve. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-24891-7.